Gene Zach, 74, of Cedar Rapids, died Dec. 25, 2009. He was born in Hamburg on April 19, 1935 to Alfred and Martha Zach.
He attended Iowa State University, served two years in the Armed Forces stationed in Germany then attended University of Iowa where he received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1962 and a master’s degree in Oral Diagnosis in 1967.
Dr. Zach was preceded by brothers Roy Lee and Jimmy; sister Helen; and his parents.
He is survived by his college sweetheart and wife of 50 years, the former Karen Bean, whom he married in June 1959 in Cedar Rapids; four children, Scott Zach and wife Atiya of Cedar Rapids, Melissa Ceynar and husband Kraig of Swisher, Iowa, Julie Garnett and husband Bill of Hopkinsville, Ky., and Amy Noelting and husband Ron of Franklin, Tenn.; 13 grandchildren, Allison, Zachary, Bradley, Katie, Isaiah, Jonathon, Lydia, Zoe, Gabby, Elizabeth, Melissa, Tory and Zane; sister Shirley Oakes and husband Marvin of Hamburg; and brother David Zach and wife Karen of Virginia Beach, Virg.
Gene was on staff at the College of Dentistry at the University of Iowa for 30 years, attaining his professorship in 1973. He established and was director of the General Dentistry Residency program there for 18 years. He was a member of the American Dental Association, American Association of Hospital Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry, American Association of Clinical Hypnosis, American Association of Dental School and Omicron Kapa Upsilon. Perhaps his greatest professional accomplishment was the warm, caring guidance he gave to his residents, students and patients.
After retiring in 1992, he enjoyed creative writing (publishing some of his works), golf and volunteer work. He participated in the Pet Therapy Program, the Rock and Read Program, and volunteered at the Linn Community Food Bank. He was an ordained elder at Christ Presbyterian Church where he and Karen taught adult Sunday school for 30 years. Later he became a member of New Covenant Bible Church and was a member of the Bible Study Fellowship for several years.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mercy or New Covenant Bible Church Embracing Faith Building Fund.
A celebration of life service was at 3 p.m. Dec. 30 at New Covenant Bible Church led by Pastor Bob Westfall. A private burial was planned.
